If you live in a tornado-centric area like Oklahoma, a storm shelter provides safety and peace of mind against the weather. However, to make sure your family is prepared to wait out the high winds and pelting rain, you need to stock it with necessities, including five to seven days’ worth of food and water per person. The guide below offers further advice on what to keep handy.

For Adults

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, non-perishable or "shelf-stable" foods are items that can be safely stored at room temperature. Canned foods like soup, corn, or fruit that have been packaged in sterile, airtight containers are best. Be sure to keep a can opener in the shelter as well. For snacks that will last, rely on peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, trail mix, and beef jerky.

For Babies & Pets

Should you need to bring your baby into the storm shelter, be sure to have sealed jars of baby food on hand, as well as formula or infant cereal. Powdered or canned milk can also be beneficial for an infant.

Keep a week’s worth of pet food in the shelter for any animal you may need to hunker down with, as well as any medication they use. Opt for small cans of wet food that can be eaten in one sitting without leftovers and store dry food in sealed containers to keep it fresh and protected from pests. If your dog or cat has severe storm anxiety, ask your vet to prescribe calming medication to ease the transition into the shelter in case of emergencies.

How Much Water Should You Have?

When storing water, a good rule of thumb is to purchase one gallon of drinking water per person per day. When following general storm shelter pantry guidelines, this means five to seven gallons of water per person. Don’t forget that the plastic container housing the water will eventually expire, potentially contaminating the drinking supply, so you should rotate the gallons out every few months.

 

If your property is in need of a high-quality storm shelter, contact the experts at G & M Tank Co. in Purcell, OK. With over 45 years of experience, these professionals know how to create well-fortified structures with proper ventilation and vertically reinforced steel doors. Visit them online for more information on their units or call (405) 527-5342 with questions.